Thiam: "We have to put this result behind us."

Senegalese forward reacting to yesterday's defeat at Coventry City

16 September 2018

As the Reds' unbeaten start to the 2018/19 Sky Bet League One season ground to a halt in the Midlands yesterday afternoon, Mamadou Thiam described the result as disappointing when he faced the post-match press.

With the Sky Blues ending the seven-game unbeaten run at the Ricoh Arena yesterday, naturally there was a feeling of disappointment around the Reds' players and staff post-match.

Barnsley forward Mamadou Thiam felt it was a frustrating afternoon.

“I’m very disappointed about the result today,” he told us.

“We had a lot of chances to score in the game but we feel frustrated that we fail in this game.

“Then we concede the goal, and it is not the first time we’ve conceded from a set-piece goal this season. We need to improve in this area on the training ground and we will do.”

After a difficult first season in English football with the Reds last season, the forward brought to the club from France began this season in sparkling fashion with a brace of goals on the opening day at Oakwell against Oxford United.

He's been a regular fixture in the starting XI under Daniel Stendel and whilst he believes he's improving, he acknowledges the fact that he has much more to offer.

He explained, saying: “I had a not easy time last season. It was a new country and style for me but I learn all the time to improve and listen.

“I started the season confidently and I still have confidence. But two goals is not enough for me. That can’t be my season again. I have to score more goals.

“The fans they are waiting and expecting for me to score and I want to score more goals for Barnsley.

“Today I think I played well but we lose and that’s two matches we don’t win now, so if we want our goal of getting back to the Championship we have to win games.”

Although the Reds' impressive start to life back in Sky Bet League One has been halted slightly by the last couple of results, Thiam was in bouyant mood when he wrapped up his post-match interview in Coventry.

With a full week's training ahead of them and a home game against an in-form Burton Albion to look forward to on Saturday, Mama said it was the aim to respond in the right way next weekend.

“It’s disappointing to end the run but we have to start a new run of not losing. We have to put this result behind us, get back out onto the training pitch and work hard for better results.

“We are back in Oakwell next match and we need to get winning games again for the club and for the fans who support us.”

Subscribers can see Mamadou Thiam's post-match interview in full over on iFollow Barnsley.